Kickin N Screamin @ Atlantic City and beyond.....

The last four weeks have been quite busy and interesting with all the excitement of this year’s Triple Crown. Between Mine That Bird and Rachel Alexandra, thoroughbred racing hasn’t had a better story. But, the racing world has had other stories and events during this time and one personal that I’ve been waiting to share with you.

A month ago, I was very fortunate to make a trip to historic Atlantic City Racecourse in Mays Landing New Jersey. The facility was opened shortly after World War II and located about 20 minutes from the “boardwalk” in Atlantic City. It had the financial backing of such greats in showbiz like; Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Harry James, Sammy Kaye and Xavier Cugat and was where the great racehorse; Kelso debuted in 1959. Through the 70’s, ACRC was a major force in east coast racing until the impact of casinos hurt the revenue and handled dropped. The past ten years ACRC has been primarily a simulcast facility for Philadelphia Park racetrack with the expectation of six racings days a year in an agreement with state officials and the casinos that are “down the road”. Our racing stable; Dee Tee Stables had a unique opportunity to have one of our runners race there this past 2009 short six day meet.

On April 30th, Kickin N Screamin raced in the 2nd race of a six race card on day #5 of their “all” grass race meet. The trip from Fonda was a five hour drive down the New York State Thruway to Garden State Parkway just outside Atlantic City. The racecourse has showed its age with only being open for this short meet. The main dirt track has been over taken with weeds and the structure itself is in need of a lot of work. It has no outside tote board, the stable area is in need of repair and horses are only allowed the day of the race on track. We got there about 1:30 for the 3 o’clock post time and it was quite empty. But, by 2:30 the crowd was filing in and we met up with about ten other Dee Tee Stable members and a very special guest host.

Our stable manger; Steve Byk secured legendary Mid Atlantic jockey; Anthony Black as our day’s host for the group. “Tony” known to his fans, is one of 21 North American jockeys to win over 5,000 races. He is also the co-holder of the North American record for most consecutive wins by a jockey with 9 between Atlantic City and Philadelphia Park in one day. He was very gracious and stayed with our group throughout the entire race card. Even though Kickin N Screamin did not win that day, she did give a good account of herself spite shipping in from Kentucky and surrounded by different handlers for this race. The trip was a very enjoyable one and all too short as the day flew by. It was great seeing the historical racetrack and meeting Tony Black. But, most of all it was great finally seeing Kickin N Screamin “in the flesh” for the first time.

Today our girl returns to the site of our first victory for Dee Tee Stables a little over a year ago. Kickin N Screamin (#3) will be racing in the 4th race at Arlington Park just outside of Chicago Illinois. That was the place where she gartered our first winner’s circle photo on Preakness day last year. Today she returns at a lower claiming level than she raced at last spring, but fits well here. She also will be sprinting for the first time since we claimed her in the Fall of 2007. The distance will be seven furlongs and the likely favorite; Light Sleeper, "KnS" defeated soundly in her victory a year ago. Her main danger today will be the outside horse, Cart Martial (#9) and Island Miss (#2) just inside her.